Tennessee's First Lady, Crissy Haslam, hosted a First Ladies for Healthy Babies event in Chattanooga.

First ladies and leading ladies of churches in Chattanooga were invited to the event to discuss the importance of healthy early brain development and parenting practices, as well as mentorship opportunities for young parents in their community.

"The church and the faith-based community play a very important role in the health and well-being of neighborhoods," said Haslam. "The women here today are a trusted resource for their community. If we work together to promote the importance of early brain development and healthy parenting, then our entire state can benefit."

The event was created in 2010 in partnership with the Neighborhood Christian Center in Memphis.

The initiative connects women leaders in the faith-based community to Tennessee families in neighborhoods throughout the state.

For more information about the First Ladies for Healthy Babies Network, visit http://www.tn.gov/firstlady/first-teachers.shtml.